The Gathering Storm

Synopsis

"The film opens in 1934 with Winston Churchill deep in his wilderness years, and struggling to complete his biography of his ancestor the Duke of Marlborough, which he hopes will revive his fortunes. Winston is chided by his wife Clemmie for their lack of money and is aware that as a 'man of destiny' his moment may have passed. At the same time he struggles in the House of Commons as a backbencher to get a hearing for his concerns about German re-armament under Hitler and the policy of appeasement.
Churchill is also disappointed by the behaviour of his son Randolph Churchill, which leads to further arguments with Clemmie, who announces she is leaving to go on an extended overseas trip. Churchill is devastated and throws himself into his pet activities: painting, and building walls around the family house. Clemmie eventually returns, and the couple are reconciled.
During the same period, a young official in the government, Ralph Wigram (Linus Roache) has become concerned about the growth of the German Luftwaffe (air force), and is convinced by his wife to leak information about it to Churchill.
Shortly afterwards, Churchill uses Wigram's information to launch an attack on Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin (Derek Jacobi)." [Wikipedia]

Genre

Historical

Released

2002

Location

British Isles

Period

Years just prior to World War II; Winston Churchill born 1874 and died 1965; Member of Parliament beginning in 1906 and Prime Minister 1940-1945 and 1951-1955);

No